Get a Free Width vs. Height Measuring Stick

Regardless of whether you are just learning how to draw or you are an accomplished artist, all artists use a measuring stick to get accurate proportions Width vs. Height of whatever it is they are trying to draw. They close one eye and put their pencil at arms length over their subject, noting the width and height using the tip of the pencil and their thumb position as the gauging distance marker.

There's just one problem with this technique: you'll find that the pencil just isn't long enough.

So what's better?

Well, you can use a coffee stirrer stick instead. It doesn't have to be sharpened, it's inexpensive, and can be marked repeatedly using your pencil or charcoal to mark your width and height.

But here's even one better idea.

Although coffee stirrer sticks are available from your local Office supply store inexpensively, they are only 5 1/2" long.

But if you go down to Starbucks and order your favorite latte, you'll find they have coffee stirrer sticks a whopping 7 inches long. You'll find that makes a terrific difference in your ability catch even the overall proportions of your subject.

Now, if you are just starting out in drawing and you want to learn the exact details of how to use this Comparative Measuring techniqe, go find out more at How to Draw Step by Step
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Outlines vs. Mass

I read all over in many art books the different styles that artists use.

I'm almost amused as to how they "teach" in their drawing books. Admitted their drawings are many times very good, but to teach the way they "do" misses the point for beginning students learning how to draw.

Here's what I'm talking about.

I find in these books "outlines" to the figure they are drawing, and once they do the outline they fill in the mass (the shadings and details). This technique is great for speed if you are already an accomplished artist who understands how to accurately draw what you see.

But for many artists who are trying to get a handle on the basic proportions, this will only frustrate you and you really won't learn much.

It's always better to learn how to draw "artifical" circles through and around points in your drawing without actually first trying to draw the objects. That speed will help you relate the objects later on in your drawing.

If you want a simple example of this technique, go to http://www.how-to-draw-online.com/draw-step-by-step.html

In short, draw what you see, not what's in your mind!

how to draw step by step

Most art is draw step-by-step.

But the step-by-step that I'm talking about is NOT draw by the numbers that you did as a kid.

And it's not the way you may be drawing right now. For example, when you want to draw an arrangement of flowers, or any group of objects, you may start by drawing one object, then add another object, then another.

That's not what I mean by draw step by step. You don't draw as you would construct a building.

Step by step drawing is more like working your way down from big to small. From the whole to the detail.

Here's what I mean.

Suppose you wanted to draw an arrangement of a teapot, a creamer, sugar bowl, and teabag caddy.

Rather than following your first tendency of drawing the teapot, then the creamer, and so on, first use your pencil to LIGHTLY draw the overall shape of the arrangement, using an oblong circle. This helps you determine the overall proportions right up front.

Then, continuing in this same shape process, begin circling around other secondary shapes, like the teapot and sugar bowl, then teapot and creamer, then creamer and handle and teapot handle--comparing each secondary circle against the previous ones to make sure that the proportions are being laid in true.

Further, if you draw these circles lightly, you will find yourself moving your drawing toward a proportionately "designed" structure which will make the detail work easier because it will all fit for the small stuff. Remember to not commit to your lines early...rather, erase more often than pressing your pencil harder.

Always sktech through an object as though the object in front were not there. An example of this is a saucer and cup. Even though the cup is on the saucer, draw the entire saucer using smooth soft "liquid" strokes--this will also help your proportions and there'll be plenty of time to erase those lines later.

So, drawing step by step is about working shapes down in stepwise fashion, starting with the one large shape first, the secondary shapes, and then details.

If you would like to see this in action, look over Draw Step by Step here.

To the creative and aspiring artist within YOU,





http://www.how-to-draw-online.com/